Bladder dysfunction and neurosyphilis

Neurosyphilis today is a rare problem. We describe a man who presented with organic brain syndrome, psychosis and incontinence, and diagnosis was neurosyphilis with resultant bladder dysfunction. Urodynamic studies defined the voiding dysfunction as detrusor areflexia with a positive bethanechol test. This case reminds us of the necessity of obtaining a test for venereal disease to rule out neurosyphilis in patients with idiopathic voiding dysfunction.     

Double-label two-dimensional electrophoresis of serum and plasma proteins from patients with multiple sclerosis

A double-label two-dimensional electrophoretic procedure has been used to search for abnormal proteins in the serum and plasma of patients with definite multiple sclerosis. The procedure possesses high resolving power and is particularly valuable in comparative studies of complex mixtures of proteins since differences due to gel-to-gel variations in protein mobilities are eliminated. Proteins present in serum and plasma at a concentration of 5-10 micrograms/ml are detected routinely. No consistent differences were observed between patients with multiple sclerosis and normal subjects in comparisons using pooled or individual specimens of serum or plasma. The absence of consistent differences in serum and plasma proteins between normal subjects and MS patients applied even when the sensitivity of the procedure was increased several-fold and when the possibly obscuring effect of albumin in the electrophoretic gels was eliminated. To our knowledge, this study combines the most extensive and sensitive search for consistent abnormalities in serum and plasma proteins in multiple sclerosis sera thus far reported.     

The Fort McMurray demonstration project in social marketing: health- and safety-related behaviour among oil sands workers

This is the first round in a series of surveys conducted inFort McMurray as part of the Fort McMurray Demonstration Projectin social marketing. This component of the survey was intendedto focus on the most prominent group of employed workers inthe community and to compare their patterns of response withthe community as a whole. Respondents to the survey were overwhelminglymale (96%), married (72.9%) and living in households of twoto five persons (87.9%). They were predominantly aged 30–44(55%) and graduates of high school (53.5%). Younger male workers(below age 30) were more likely to have a high school diploma(78.3%) or some additional technical or vocational training(21.7% compared to 12.5% overall) and to be unmarried or separated.Attitudes toward safety-related behaviours were stronger thanfor respondents from the community as a whole. Approximately70–100% of all age groups and both sexes showed strongagreement with attitudes involving child car seats and the unacceptabilityof drinking and driving. These attitudes include strong advocacyof vigorous enforcement of occupational health and safety standards.However, they showed a variability similar to the communityas a whole in behaviour at home compared to work, generallyreporting more consistent use of personal protection on thejob than in their own homes, particularly hearing protection.Even so, they were much less likely to perform stretching andwarm-up exercises prior to exertion than community residentsin general. The potential may exist to transfer the technologyand attitudes from workplace health and safety to communitysafety. One possible strategy to accomplish this is to involveworkers in this industry directly in community initiatives.This strategy may be generalizable to any community in whichthere are major employers who place a heavy emphasis on riskcontrol and occupational health and safety.     

Immunochemical analysis of a cytochrome P-450IA1 homologue in human lung microsomes

The monoclonal antibody MAb 1-7-1, which specifically binds to cytochromes P-450IA1 and P-450IA2 in 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rat liver microsomes, was used to identify a cytochrome P-450IA1 homologue in human lung microsomes. Although MAb 1-7-1 had similar affinity constants for human and rat microsomes, the amount bound to human lung microsomes was severalfold lower than that bound to microsomes from untreated rat or rabbit lung and much lower than the amount bound to 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rat lung or liver microsomes. The amount bound to untreated baboon lung microsomes was similar to that bound to human lung microsomes. Three cytochrome P-450IA1-catalyzed activities, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin, O-deethylase, and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, were measurable in human lung microsomes, but the cytochrome P-450IA2-dependent activity acetanilide 4-hydroxylase was not. MAb 1-7-1 inhibited, and its binding correlated strongly with, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity (r = 0.92, p less than 0.01) in human lung microsomes. 7-Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities in human lung were similar to those measured in untreated baboon lung but considerably lower than those present in untreated rabbit lung, untreated or 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rat lung and liver, or human liver. We conclude that MAb 1-7-1 recognizes a cytochrome P-450IA1 homologue in human lung and that no cytochrome P-450IA2 homologue is detected. Cytochrome P-450IA1 is expressed in human lung at relatively low levels, similar to those observed in untreated primate (baboon) lung. The majority of the 19 human lung samples examined do not exhibit a permanent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced state with respect to this isozyme.     

Is the message getting through? Nutritional knowledge of pregnant women in Edinburgh and London

This paper reports the results of a survey in which pregnant women in London and Edinburgh were asked about their knowledge and understanding of the recent recommendations of expert committees (James, 1983; DHSS, 1984). In general, Londoners had a better understanding, although in both regions manual groups were less knowledgeable, with the Edinburgh manual group the least well informed.     

Antegrade continence enemas in the management of intractable faecal incontinence.

The introduction of the Malone procedure has improved the outlook for children with severe faecal incontinence. Phosphate and saline enemas are administered through the exteriorized appendix in antegrade fashion to achieve evacuation and ensure cleanliness. The appendix functions as a non-refluxing catheterizable channel: If it is not available for use, a tubularized caecal flap is a safe alternative. We have constructed Malone stomas using the appendix in 20 patients and another seven patients have undergone the caecal flap modification. The mean age was 8.6 years. Eleven of the patients were boys and 16 (59%) were girls. Six children required dilatation or revision of their stomas for stenosis. One developed small bowel obstruction and another has stopped using the stoma. The results of the continence enemas were considered to be very good by the vast majority of patients and their carers. Our recent experience suggests that bisacodyl may be a valuable adjunct to the antegrade enemas of phosphate and saline. We believe that this procedure may be extended with benefit to adults with serious faecal incontinence in whom standard measures have failed.